Apparatus for controlling rolling of watercraft



W. RIEPRICH May 20, 1969 APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ROLLING OF WATERCRAFT Sheet of 3 Filed Jan. 17, 1968 & S

y 0, 1969 w. RIEPRICH 3,444,836

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ROLLING OF WATERCRAFT Filed Jan. 17, 1968 Sheet 2 of 5 W. RIEPRICH May 20, 1969 APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ROLLING OF WATERCRAFT Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 17, 1968 United States Patent U.S. Cl. 114-126 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The bilge keels in a watercraft are rotatable on sleeves each of which has an end portion rotatable in a housing provided at one side of the hull to move with the respective keel between an extended and a retracted position so as to respectively extend laterally from and to be accommodated in the housing. The keels are tnrnable with reference to their sleeves to and from a neutral position and the drive which elfects such movements of keels is operated only when the respective sleeves assume their extended positions. Prior to moving with the sleeves to retracted positions, the keels must be moved to neutral positions.

Cross-reference to related application The apparatus of the present invention constitutes a modification of the apparatus disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 698,488, filed Jan. 17, 1968.

Background of the invention The present invention relates to watercraft in general, and more particularly to improvements in the construction of apparatus for controlling or retarding rolling of watercraft. Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in the construction, mounting and operation of means for adjusting the position of bilge keels on watercraft.

Bilge keels are mounted on the bilge of the hull below the water surface. Each keel is located at one side of the hull and is movable between an extended and a retracted position. The keels are retracted into the hull when the going is smooth but are moved to extended positions when the water is rough so that the rolling of the hull must be retarded or damped. As a rule, the keels are tnrnable about their own axes to and from a neutral position and the watercraft is equipped with mechanisms which cause the keels to move to and from their neutral positions as well as with mechanisms which cause the keels to move between extended and retracted positions.

In certain types of watercraft, the bilge keels are mounted on and can rotate with reference to hollow tubular members or sleeves which are swingable about horizontal or vertical axes to move with the keels between retracted and extended positions. The keels are retracted into the hull to reduce resistance when the sea is quiet. When the keels are moved to extended positions, they extend laterally of the hull and can be rotated about the axes of the respective sleeves by hydraulic vane motors which are coaxial with the sleeves. Such drives are,

3,444,836 Patented May 20, 1969 Certain other types of watercraft are provided with mechanical motion transmitting connections between hydraulic cylinders installed in the interior of the hull and the bilge keels. Such mechanical connections occupy too much room, the wear on their parts is very high, and they are prone to malfunction.

Summary of the invention It is an object of my invention to provide a watercraft with a novel apparatus which can control movements of bilge keels between retracted and extended positions as well as to and from neutral positions and to construct and assemble such apparatus in a way to accommodate its parts in a small area and to reduce the likelihood of damage by water.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the drives which effect movements of bilge keels to and from neutral positions need not be detached from the keels when the latter are moved to and from extended positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple and compact drives which can move the bilge keels between extended and retracted positions.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel system of bearings and sealing devices for the shafts of drives which effect movements of bilge keels between retracted and extended positions and to and from neutral positions.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which automatically places the keels into neutral positions upon completion of movement from retracted to extended positions.

The improved apparatus comprises two identical units each of which comprises a housing provided at one side of the hull below the Water surface, a tubular member having an end portion rotatable in the housing about a substantially vertical axis, a bilge keel rotatably mounted on the tubular member and movable therewith between an extended and a retracted position in which it respectively extends laterally from and is at least partially accommodated in the housing, first drive means operatively connected with the end portion of the tubular member to move the latter between extended and retracted positions, and second drive means for rotating the keel about the axis of the tubular member to and from a neutral position in extended position of the tubular member. The second drive means comprises a driven shaft rotatably mounted in the tubular member and connected for rotation with the keel, a driver shaft mounted in the hull or in the housing and coaxial with the driven shaft in extended position of the tubular member, and coupling means connecting the two shafts to change the inclination of the keel in response to rotation of the driver shaft in extended position of the tubular member. The coupling means is constructed and assembled in such a way that it permits movement of the tubular member from extended position in neutral position of the keel.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, to gether with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of a specific embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of one unit of the improved apparatus, with the bilge keel shown in extended position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line A-B of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line C-D in FIG. 2.

Description of the preferred embodiment The apparatus of my invention comprises two units which are mirror symmetrical with reference to the central longitudinal vertical plane of the watercraft. Therefore, the drawing merely shows one of these units. The illustrated unit comprises a housing or casing 16 which is installed below the water surface in one side of the hull H and has an open outer side. The innermost wall of the housing 16 (i.e., the lefthand wall, as viewed in FIG. 1) supports a substantially horizontal driver shaft 1 which forms part of a drive serving to change the inclination of a bilge keel 15 by turning the latter about a substantially horizontal axis to and from a neutral position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. That end portion of the driver shaft 1 which extends into the interior of the housing 16 carries a male coupling member 2 here shown as a diametral pin whose end portions extend radially beyond the periphery of the shaft 1 and carry rolling elements 3. These rolling elements are received in recesses provided therefor in a bifurcated female coupling member 6 provided on the inner end of a driven shaft 4. The outer end of the driven shaft 4 is connected for rotation with the bilge keel 15 by means of splines 5 or the like. The driven shaft 4 is rotatable in and the keel 15 is rotatable on a sleeve-like tubular member 9 which is turnable with reference to the housing 16 about a substantially vertical axis defined by two coaxial pivots 7, 8 forming part of or affixed to and extending into the interior of the housing. The inner end portion of the tubular member 9 is bifurcated and its arms 9a, 9b are respectively rotatable on the pivots 7 and 8. The aforementioned female coupling member 6 on the driven shaft 4 is accommodated in the space between the arms 9a, 9b. The shaft 4 is rotatable in water-lubricated plastic bearings 10 and 11 provided therefor in the tubular member 9, and the keel 15 is rotatable on similar bearings 13, 14 provided on the tubular member.

The driver shaft 1 is rotatable in a water-lubricated plastic bearing 17 and in an antifriction roller bearing 18 located downstream of the bearing 17, as considered in the direction of penetration of water into the housing 16. A sealing device 19, preferably a stufiing box or the like, is installed in the housing 16 between the bearings 17, 18 and surrounds a portion of the driver shaft 1 to prevent penetration of wataer into the bearing 18. The driver shaft 1 receives torque from a transmission 2|) which can be driven by an electronically controlled electric motor, not shown. The splines 5 permit some lengthwise movements of the driven shaft 4 with reference to the keel 15 or vice versa to prevent jamming of the coupling including the parts 2, 3 and 6.

FIG. 1 shows the keel 15 in a neutral position in which the keel is located in a substantially horizontal plane and in which the axis of the coupling pin 2 coincides with the common vertical axis of the pivots 7, 8. These pivots are respectively mounted on or are integral with the top and bottom walls of the housing 16.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a second drive which serves to move the tubular member 9 and bilge keel 15 between an extended position (shown in FIG. 2 by solid lines) and a retracted or concealed position (see the phantom-line position 15' of the keel 15 in FIG. 2) in which the keel is accommodated in the interior of the housing 16. This second drive includes a shaft 24 which is rotatable in the top wall of the housing 16 and is parallel with the pivots 7, 8. A motion transmitting connection between the shaft 24 and the upper arm 9a of the tubular member 9 comprises a first lever 21 which is rigid with the arm 9a, a sec d l e 23 wh ch s gid wit t Sha 2. a d a third lever or link 22 which is articulately connected to the free ends of the levers 21 and 23. The means for rotating the shaft 24 back and forth through approximately degrees comprises a two-armed lever 28 which is rigid with the shaft 24 and two hydraulic double-acting cylinder and piston units 29 each of which is connected with one arm of the lever 28. These cylinder and piston units are shown in FIG. 2 by phantom lines. In order to move the keel 15 from the extended position to the retracted position 15', the upper cylinder and piston unit 29 of FIG. 2 is caused to turn the lever 24 in a clockwise direction through an angle of approximately 90 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 3, the shaft 24 of the drive for the tubular member 9 is rotatable in a water-lubricated plastic bearing 25 and in an antifriction roller bearing 26 which is located downstream of the bearing 25. A stufiing box 27 or a like sealing device surrounds the shaft 24 downstream of the bearing 25 to prevent penetration of water into the antifriction bearing 26.

The drive including the parts 21-29 can be operated to move the tubular member 9 from extended to retracted position when the keel 15 is held in neutral position, i.e., when the axis of the male coupling member 2 coincides with the common axis of pivots 7, 8 for the arms 9a, 9b. Thus, when the member 9 is returned from retracted to extended position, the keel 15 is automatically located in neutral position and the drive including the parts 16 and 20 is then free to change the inclination of the keel by rotating the latter about the tubular member 9.

An important advantage of my apparatus is that the pivots 7, 8 need not be hollow and that the drives .for the tubular member 9 and keel 15 do not require the utilization of flexible hoses or like sensitive parts. Also, the drive including the parts 16 and 20 need not be disconnected from the keel 15 prior to operation of drive 21-29 which turns the tubular member 9, or vice versa. The operation of these drives is not affected by eventual deformations and shifts which develop in response to rapidly changing stresses upon the keel 15 in rough seas. The rolling elements 3 reduce friction between the coupling members 2 and 6 when the drive 21-29 causes the'tubular member 9 to move between extended and retracted positions.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. Apparatus for controlling rolling of the hulls of watercraft comprising a housing provided at one side of the hull below the water surface, said housing including a pair of pivots aligned along a vertical axis; a tubular member having an end portion comprising a pair of arms respectively rotatably mounted on said pivots; a bilge keel rotatably mounted on said tubular member and movable therewith between an extended and a retracted position in which it respectively extends laterally from and is at least partially accommodated in said housing; first drive means operatively connected with said end portion to move said tubular member between said extended and retracted positions; and second drive means for rotating said keel about the axis of said tubular member to and from a neutral position in extended position of said tubular member, comprising a driven shaft rotatably mounted in said tubular member and connected for rotation with said keel, a driver shaft mounted in said housing and coaxial with said driven shaft in extended position of said tubular member, and coupling means connecting said shafts to change the inclination of said keel in response to rotation of said driver shaft in extended position of said tubular member, said coupling means having an axis coinciding with said vertical axis in neutral position and being arranged to permit movement of said tubular member from extended position in neutral position of said keel.

2. Apparatus for controlling rolling of the hulls of watercraft comprising a housing provided at one side of the hull below the water surface; a tubular member hav: ing an end portion rotatable in said housing about a sub:

stantially vertical axis; a bilge keel rotatably mounted on' said tubular member and movable therewith between an extended and a retracted position in which it respectively extends laterally from and is at least partially accom modated in said housing; first drive means operatively connected with said end portion to move said tubular member between said extended and retracted positions; and second drive means for rotating said keel about the axis of said tubular member to and from a neutral position in extended position of said tubular member, comprising a driven shaft rotatably mounted in said tubular member and connected for rotation with said keel, a driver shaft mounted in said housing and coaxial with said driven shaft in extended position of said tubular member, and coupling means connecting said shafts to change the inclination of said keel in response to rotation of said driver shaft in extended position of said tubular member, said coupling means being arranged to permit movement of said tubular member from extended position in neutral position of said keel, said coupling means comprising a male coupling member having an axis which coincides with said vertical axis in neutral position of said keel and a female coupling member co-operating with said male coupling member to transmit torque from said driver shaft to said driven shaft, each of said coupling members being afiixed to one of said shafts.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said male coupling member is rigid with and extends substantially radially of said driver shaft.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said housing comprising two pivots having a common axis coinciding with said vertical axis and said end portion of said tubular member comprises two arms each of which is rotatable on one of said pivots, said female coupling member being disposed between said arms.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said male coupling member is a diametral pin having end portions extending from said driver shaft and wherein said coupling means further comprises rolling elements mounted on the end portions of said pin and received in recesses provided therefor in said female coupling member.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first drive means comprises a third shaft rotatably mounted in said housing, means for rotating said third shaft, and a motion transmitting connection between said third shaft and the end portion of said tubular member.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said connection comprises a first lever rigid with said end portion, a second lever rigid with said third shaft, and a third lever articulately connected with said first and second levers.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising bearing means provided in said tubular members for said driven shaft and spline means connecting said driven shaft for rotation with said keel.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first drive means comprises a third shaft rotatably mounted in said housing and further comprising water-lubricated bearing means provided in said housing for said driver shaft and said third shaft.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising antifriction bearing means provided in said housing for said driver shaft and said third shaft, said antifriction bearing means being located downstream of the respective water-lubricated bearing means.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, further comprising first and second sealing means respectively surrounding said driver shaft and said third shaft intermediate said water-lubricated bearing means and said anti-friction bearing means to prevent penetration of water to said antifriction bearing means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,942,570 6/1960 Kollenberger 114-126 3,036,540 5/ 1962 Gregor 114126 3,066,634 12/ 1962 Suberkrub 114-126 3,167,361 1/1965 Snapp et al. 3088 TRYGUE M. BLIX, Primary Examiner. 

